El Dorado County Democrats hand out awards

PLACERVILLE — The El Dorado County Democratic Central Committee has announced its’ 2011 volunteer award recipients to be presented at the third annual Kennedy-Roosevelt Dinner on Sept. 24 at the Forni Building located in the El Dorado County Fairgrounds.

The dinner will have hundreds of progressive individuals in attendance honoring this years recipients.

The 2011 recipient of the Rep. Jerome Waldie Lifetime Achievement award is Penny Humphreys, a long-time board member of American River Conservancy, serving as chair for the past four years.

Humphreys also helped to form PAWED, the People for Animal Welfare in El Dorado County, an organization which works to save and improve the lives of companion animals in El Dorado County. Having been one of the first female EMTs and a volunteer firefighter, she helped start and organize both the El Dorado County Fire Safe Council and the Rescue Fire Protection District. In addition, Humphreys served as an El Dorado County Supervisor, representing District 4.

“The committee is honored to present the Jerome Waldie Award to Penny,” said Robert Dobrich, chairperson of the El Dorado County Democratic Central Committee. “Through many years of volunteerism and lending her leadership to the community, El Dorado County is a better place.”

Two other awards will be presented at the dinner:

• The Community Steward Award will be given to Richard and Betsy Kerr. Both retired educators, Richard and Betsy have devoted much of their time to building the Democratic Community in El Dorado County. In addition to participating in almost every Democratic activity, they have taken leadership roles by managing the seasonal headquarters, volunteering for candidate campaigns and helping to grow the Democratic community through community outreach. Both are active members of the United Democrats of Placerville.

• The Democratic Spirit Award will be presented to Helen Gangursky. A retired social worker Helen has spent years building the Democratic Party in El Dorado County. She has organized voter registration drives and can be seen at all Democratic functions, especially in El Dorado Hills, where she lives. She was a founding member of the Sierra Foothills Democratic Club and served as its treasurer for many years. Helen is also a former member of the El Dorado County Democratic Central Committee.

“We are thrilled with the choice the committee made in recognizing these three outstanding community leaders. Richard, Betsy and Helen all exemplify what it means to be a Democrat,” Dobrich added. “They have given selflessly to their community.”

California State Controller John Chiang will be the keynote speaker, joined by Assemblymember Alyson Huber, Supervisor Norma Santiago and CDP Controller Hilary Crosby.

The Taste of El Dorado reception precedes the dinner with wine tasting starting at 5:30 p.m. The dinner and awards ceremony begin at 7.